Seniors Site

Earthquake Safety Tips for Seniors

Time and again, I post safety tips for seniors. It’s because I believe people my age are usually in dire risk in emergency situations like earthquakes and fire. Aside from that, due to limited range of motion, seniors were left behind most of the time. Although I really couldn’t blame their caregivers, considering basic human instinct to save themselves first kicking in, helpless seniors are often left to protect themselves and squeeze out of the situation in one piece! Unfortunately, only a few manage to actually do it.
Also, take note that seniors are often, masters of procrastination. Ask a group of seniors who amongst them has an emergency kit ready at home and I bet you, there will only be 1 out of 10! That’s the problem with seniors, if it’s too bad, we tend to just delay it, hoping that it will go away eventually. However, disasters, as we all know, strike at most inconvenient times—usually when we are not prepared for it—and now that different parts of the world experienced strong earthquakes with disastrous results, we should plan for it now more than ever!
Earthquake preparedness involves what a senior should do before an earthquake strikes. One of the first things you should check is how “prepared” your surroundings are, especially within places you are most likely to be found such as your office or your favorite spot in the house. Imagine yourself in case of an earthquake such as: where you should go or how to get there safely. Make sure nothing could fall on you like bookshelf or any heavy object. If these things cannot be avoided, secure them to the wall so they will not topple over. Prepare an emergency kit enough to last you three days. That’s enough time for your local government to reach and assist your with your basic needs. Your emergency kit should compose of medications, food and water, your personal needs such as canes and prescription glasses and flashlights.
During an earthquake, the only thing you should do is protect your head at all times. The rule of thumb is to dock, cover the head and hold on. The safest locations are doorframes and under a sturdy table or desk, if you can get under it without hurting yourself.  If it’s impossible to move at all, then stay where you are as it is possibly the safest as of the moment.
Right after the earthquake, stay calm and stay prepared, in case an aftershock occurs. Assess damage, if there’s any. Notify your neighbors that you are okay and if you plan to stay with them, leave a note to let people who are concerned about your safety know where you are at the moment.